Deus Misereatur

Behavioral Activation for PTSD: A Workbook for Men: Reduce Anxiety and Take Charge of Your Life by Lisa Campbell PhD My rating: 5 of 5 stars I'm not a professional psychologist or therapist; and I'm not a trained and certified counselor. But I am a Christian minister who wants to have some useful tools and aids I can employ in helping others who have experienced serious trauma and find themselves hampered, harmed or hollowed-out by the event. Therefore, when the publisher asked if I'd be interested in reviewing the 186 page workbook "Behavioral Activation for PTSD: A Workbook for men; Reduce Anxiety and Take Charge of Your Life," I jumped at the opportunity. Lisa B. Campbell, a psychologist for the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Karie A. Kermath, a trauma survivor, have teamed up to craft an easy-to-grasp-user-friendly guide to assist men with PTSD, and find a doable path to recovery. This text is simple to read and comprehend and written with the non-tec...

Sing!: How Worship Transforms Your Life, Family, and Church by Keith Getty My rating: 5 of 5 stars This delightful little 150 page hardback, by Keith and Kristen Getty, gives a wonderful set of reasons for singing in church, what to sing, and how. It's not technical, but it is well tuned. The Gettys make a great case for the whole church being engaged in corporate singing: "Your voice may not be of professional standard, but it is of confessional standard" (4); "The sight and sound of a congregation singing praise to God together is a radical witness in a culture that rejects God and embraces individualism" (87). One of their prime emphases is that singing together is one important way we grow together, "We are forged together through our singing together" (72). It's an easy-to-read manuscript that should be delved into by pastors, parishioners, maestros and musicians. I highly recommend it. A copy can be purchased here: Sing! View all my r...

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi My rating: 5 of 5 stars When I was 20 years old, I was stationed in a Muslim country for two years. During that time I read the Quran (in an English translation from Oxford), interacted with Muslim acquaintances, and saw Islam lived out in it's communal context. Therefore I was excited when my mother gave me a copy of "Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus". With bazillions of reviews already plastered on the various sites and venues, mine will be short and succinct. Nabeel Qureshi has woven together a very personal and personable volume written to give "an insider's perspective into a Muslim heart," as well as equip readers "with facts and knowledge, showing the strength of the case for the gospel contrasted with the case for Islam," while chronicling his own inner struggles, sacrifices and doubts when grappling with the Christian faith. The style of writing is au...

[Photo: "Chill of an Early Fall Morning" by Debra and Dave Vanderlaan] Our Father who art in heaven : What an honor to be allowed to call you Our Father . As Father , you care for us, you invite us, and you look out for us. And as Our Father you bring us together with sons and daughters from every ethnic group, economic standing, and educational status. Further, being Our Father in Heaven , we rejoice that you are unscathed and unsullied by human sin, shame, scandal, and schemes! Glory to you! Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed by Thy name : Our chief desire and principal ambition is to glorify you – to hold your honor high; therefore we do pray that your fame and renown, your rightness and righteousness would be accepted and upheld world over – including in Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe and our own country. Additionally, our chief desire and principle ambition is to glorify you and enjoy you forever; and so bring us to find our deepest satisfaction in you, o...